Casey's Dream

For nearly 17 years, TSgt Casey Jaeger has proudly served our country as a dedicated member of the Air National Guard.  He enlisted in February 2001 in the 133rd Airlift Wing, Minnesota ANG. Going above and beyond his monthly National Guard commitment, he has voluntarily raised his hand 9 different times spending the better part of 6 years of his life deployed away from his wife, family and friends.

To earn money stateside, Casey began his own car hauling business with the money he saved on deployments.  It allows him to haul cars between Arizona and Minnesota so he can continue his monthly commitment to the Minnesota Air National Guard.  Currently, his truck now sits in need of a major overhaul.

To show appreciation for Casey’s service, Angelo Romano (Diesel industries - Apache Junction, AZ) has committed his own time and money to get it back on the road.  Many new parts are needed along with hundreds of hours of labor.  Please help contribute to this effort and keep this military family trucking!

Service and history:

Shortly after the war kicked off, Casey answered the call.  In March 2003 he spent the beginning of his first deployment at Ramstein Airbase Germany loading aircraft with troops and cargo in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Then, his team was moved to England where he helped redeploy the U2 Spy Plane and North Dakota’s B52 Bombers after their Afghan bombing runs.  Then, on to Uzbekistan (K2) where he spent the bulk of his deployment.  Returning home with just a 3 week break, he volunteered to go back for another tour in Kuwait.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management and Associates in Logistics, he volunteered to back fill active duty Air Force personnel for his next two tours:  In Charleston, SC he inspected and prepared for air shipment hundreds of the new Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles which replaced the vulnerable Humvee’s providing troops more safety during combat missions.  Then, Andrews Air Force Base, where he coordinated loading operations with VIP flights to include Air Force One support.  The next several tours took him literally around the world Turkey, Antarctica, Iraq, and Afghanistan (twice) the longest one being 13 months at Bagram Air Force Base, Afghanistan.

Casey met his wife, Julie, in September 2000. They married in September 2009. They moved from Minnesota to Arizona in August 2013 and have built their life in Apache Junction.  Julie has held down the fort much of the time on her own.  Even when not deployed, he is away from home at least 2 weeks of every month operating his business and traveling to/from Minnesota for his Guard weekends.

Casey started his own auto transport business (Proline Transport) upon returning from Iraq in 2010.  He purchased his semi-truck with the money he had saved during his deployments and it has served him well over the years.  But, now sits in desperate need of a major overhaul to get it road worthy again.   

Julie and Casey became good friends with his mechanic Angelo and Sharon Romano (Diesel Industries) shortly after they met in 2014.  Since then, Angelo has helped keep his truck on the road all while sharing his gratitude for Casey’s service and mutual love for this country.  After two deployments to Afghanistan, Angelo helped Casey transition home and get Proline back on the road seamlessly.

“I could not go without the love and support from the ones I leave behind.  Theirs is the greatest sacrifice and they are the real heroes”

–TSgt Casey Jaeger